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Men's basketball: CU Buffs hold off CSU Rams

CU almost coughs up big lead to CSU

By Ryan ThorburnBuffzone.com

Posted:
12/05/2012 11:24:13 PM MST

Updated:
12/05/2012 11:36:59 PM MST

CU vs CSU Men006.JPG University of Colorado's Spencer Dinwiddie takes a shot over Dorian Green during a game against Colorado State University on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Coors Event Center on the CU campus in Boulder. For more photos of the game go to www.dailycamera.com
Jeremy Papasso/ Camera
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JEREMY PAPASSO
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The 6-6 sophomore guard scored a career-high 29 points to lead Colorado to a 70-61 victory over Colorado State in front of a raucous and record crowd of 11,708 on Wednesday night at the Coors Events Center.

Dinwiddie, who referred to the Rams as CU's "little brother" and predicted that the C-Unit would not rush the court if the Buffs prevailed, backed up the bold talk all night.

"It was an analogy. I think they took it as disrespect, and I didn't mean it that way," Dinwiddie said. "Backing it up is great because they were on my Twitter a lot."

Dinwiddie was an earth-scorching 8-for-10 from the field, including 5-for-7 behind the arc, and 8-for-10 at the free throw line.

The Buffs saluted their loyal fans, who did remain in their seats, after improving to 7-1.

"What an atmosphere for college basketball. Record crowd, which is a testament to our fans," CU head coach Tad Boyle said. "I thought it was an NCAA Tournament-type game."

The previously unbeaten Rams (6-1) trailed by 20 points at halftime but were within 43-30 after a basket by Dorian Green.

Dinwiddie answered with a pair of 3-pointers to temporarily restore order and give CU a 49-32 cushion.

A 7-0 spurt by CSU forced Boyle to call a timeout with the Buffs' lead trimmed to 10 points. Dinwiddie scored at the rim to quiet the green and gold contingent that erupted for the first time.

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Larry Eustachy's rugged and senior-dominated Rams refused to go away.

As Boyle attempted to rest Dinwiddie, Andre Roberson and Josh Scott, CSU cut its deficit to 54-51 with a 10-0 run.

"I feel like we did kind of slacked off in the second half coming out, they made a little run," Roberson said. "But guys did a great job getting back to our defensive standards."

Askia Booker scored on an aggressive drive, Scott grabbed a key offensive rebounds for two second-chance points, and Dinwiddie made a pair of free throws to give the Buffs a little breathing room after the Rams' hardest charge.

The Rams missed eight of their first nine shots and trailed 15-2 after a steal and slam by Roberson with 13:27 remaining in the half.

"I feel like our guys did a great job coming out aggressive and trying to make a statement," Roberson said.

A 3-pointer by Daniel Bejarano started an 8-0 run by to cut the deficit to five points, but a 3-pointer by Dinwiddie capped a 7-0 answer to give CU a 22-10 advantage.

After Iverson got tangled up with an aggressive Sabatino Chen on both ends of the court, the CSU big man lost his composure and was called for a technical foul.

Dinwiddie made both free throws and then added a his third 3-pointer of the half to make the score 38-17.

CU, which lost its only true road game of the season at Wyoming, will play No. 9 Kansas on Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence (noon, ESPN2).

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What went right

The Buffs scored the first nine points of the game and led by as many as 25 points in the first half with Spencer Dinwiddie and Andre Roberson combining for 25 points on 9-for-10 shooting before the intermission.

What went wrong

Other than Mike Bohn not being able to introduce Butch Jones at halftime? Not much for the Buffs.

Star of the game

Dinwiddie, who referred to the Rams as CU's "little brother" before the game, backed up the talk with a career-high 29 points.

What's next?

The Buffs venture back into Big 12 country with a nonconference game at No. 9 Kansas on Saturday in Lawrence (noon, ESPN2).

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